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John James Stanaway was one of nine children born to James and Eleanor Stanaway form Camberwell, Surrey, on 16 July 1813. Both his parents were originally from Probus, Cornwall, England.

Captain John James Stanaway

It remains a mystery how John arrived in the South Pacific with various stories and accounts. We do know that by 1839 he has made passage to Hokianga, New Zealand aged about 26, then, further south to the Kaipara region by the 1850’s. The majority of his life was spent on the banks of the Wairoa River where he was one of the first settlers and founder of the small village of Tokatoka.

Thanks Noni – if there is anything we can add on either JJ, Henry, or Joseph Patrick, which you may think we have missed let us know by leaving a reply on that web page – for others reading this – this is a massive project to gather information on the 3 generations from JJ, If you have any stories, or facts and pictures you would like to share please leave a reply – we will try to get all the great grand children a page asap where you can add your comments etc.

Hi GPS
Thanks to all concerned who have put together this valuable archive. My relationship is via Dinah and Charles Clark, Sarah’s sister Hannah is my connection, however I am loving the extended family history here.
JIF

I am the great-granddaughter of Montrose Stanaway (son of William Henry). My father has a portrait of Montrose in his home. I can take a photo of the portrait if you like or scan a copy of it and email it to you if you wish.

Hi Claudette
Montrose was the brother of my great grandmother Ida Stanaway, She married Capt Charles Bamford Daniel, My grandmother was their daughter. So we are close cousins of sorts. i would love to get a scan copy of the portrait you have of “Monty” I dont think I have any of him – I will also email you off line as I would like to get more infomation if you have any
Greg

Ida’s daughter was May “Kotuku” Daniel – married Athol L Skinner, they lived mainly in Auckland, but during WW1 they moved up to Hokianga where Capt Charles worked a the signal man at the entry of the harbour – it was at that time they cought up with relatives. on their return to Auckland a few years later they decided to travel through the Kaipara over a month when they again stayed with family.

The whole Stanaway story is interesting and neat to keep up and meet new family…my father was Graham Norton Stanaway…his father was Charles George Stanaway…and his parents were JJ and Sarah Clarke…and I can see Toka Toka from my window every day….a lot of us still in the Kaipara…

HI…I have photos of my father…Grahame Morton Stanaway…young and old…if needed for his page,,,he was a hard working… can do kind of a attitude fella…people of the Kaipara…came looking for him…when there was a job that seemed impossible….

I think I am the great grandchild of Maungaroa (ere Ngaru) According to family and records, Maungaroa daughter of Ka Stanaway, had a daughter, Rira, to Waaka Mete Walker Smith) born in1879 and also three children to John Patrick Denny (Hone Tini) …. Riki, born, killed in WW1, Raiha ( my grandmother Eliza Mena) born in1895 and ,Henry born 1899 I would be very happy if you can verify or negate that this is the same Maungaroa. I have seen the same photo of Ka Stanawayin a home of one of Riras . Cant be coincidence, I reckon

Just a small correction
Line John Aloysius-
John and Nora have three children – Philip John (1912), Mary (Polly) Patricia (1915) and Vincent Paul (1918).
Mary was known as Molly not Polly…
I am Vincent Paul born 1956
The old man is Vincent (no middle name) born 1918…Nora (his Mother) didn’t get him christened as they where in Auckland at the time of the Spanish flu (I think) and wouldn’t take him out.
He was awarded The Militery Medal at Casino WWll so you could add (MM) if you wanted to differentiate.
Regards
Vincent Paul

Is a great question – I do not know at this point in time. If there is anyone out there who knows can they contact us. In the mean time I know a lot of people visit his grave in the Tokatoka Cemetery – I have written a Post on where it is located if you have trouble finding the cemetery.

My husbands Aunty Anna Marriner, saw a portrait of JJ hanging at Naumai Marae in Ruāwai early 2000s apparently. Anna husband Charles was a son of Mauriri (Jim Marriner) Marena, whose parents were Hori (George Marriner) Marena and Hera Minarapa Tika Stanaway (Sarah Marriner). Hera was the daughter of Irahapeti Rihi Tanipo Taniwe {daughter of JJ and Henipapa} & Ngaere Minarapa Tika {son of JJ and Witeperene}. Both Henipapa and Witaperene had Mohi te Hokaanga as a father but different mothers.

Hi Polli,
My father was born in Auckland and adopted in 1939 and passed away in 1990 aged 51. He found his biological mother but the only information he had with regard to the identity of his father was the name George Marriner. I recently found out via DNA match that I am related to the descendants of JJ Stanaway. The other piece of information I have is that George Marriner was a lawyer? I have yet to find any evidence of this other than the name amongst Native Land Court documents. Any information would be appreciated.

Seeing Polli’s post jogged my memory. The portrait was in my parent’s possession for a short time in the 1980/90s when they were living at Tokatoka. One of my uncles turned up with it and said it was of JJ and that it had just been found but I don’t remember if he said where. He took it away some time later so it was fortunate that I had taken some photos of it. I can’t find the originals at the moment but have found a copy I scanned some years later so I will send it to Greg to post. I don’t think there was a name on the portrait but it does look like a younger version of him, possibly done when he was appointed Harbour Master in 1856??

Hi Carolyn, I am so confused … I am descended from Henipapa > Henare > Joseph Patrick > Mary Agnes. So many stories about Henipapa, Wetekia, and a relationship with Hone Heke somehow. My notes say we are from Ngapuhi, so how do we fit Ngati Whatua in?

Hi… I remember years ago my father having a book of the Stanaway family- which outlined all of the relatives (maybe). My name: Naomi Annette (Morris) nee Marriner – my mum and dad – Richard Marriner & Patricia Margaret Heath. We lived in Rotorua. I was wondering if it was at all possible to get a copy of the book.

Hi Naomi – I will forward your request onto Wendy. Wendy put together the revised version of the book a few years ago, I know it is not in print anymore, but she did have some USB sticks with the contents of the book. I am unsure if she has any left though.